Walgreens will get its drive-through

Prince William supervisors may have said yes Tuesday to a special use permit for Walgreens to include a drive-through pharmacy at its planned store on Hoadly Road. But had the law allowed, developers for the store and its accompanying pharmacy would likely have been sent packing and told to find another site.

Depending upon perspective, credit or blame for the construction plans goes to the sitting board members in 1992.

"I really hate this project," said Chairman Corey Stewart, R-at-large. "I agree with the citizens -- there's a 7-11 nearby, a CVS, another Walgreens. We're getting a lot of stores like this popping up … and frankly, they're ugly."

But the rezoning to build on that parcel of property -- which sits on Hoadly by the intersection with Prince William Parkway, across from the shopping center that includes Harris Teeter -- was approved in 1992. And that means the owner has legal authority to continue with Walgreens construction plans, no matter what local citizens or government officials prefer.

"The situation under state law is once the board approves a rezoning … it's a by-right use and there's nothing on this green earth that can undo that," Stewart said. "It would be considered a taking."

So when Walgreens applied months ago for a special use permit to construct a drive-through pharmacy, the board could only ultimately rule on that request and not on the construction plans of the store itself. And as board members questioned Tuesday evening: What's the point of denying the drive-through?

Citizens' time speakers referenced the chance for crime.

"I don't like the 24-hour pharmacy," said one resident, who said she lives right behind the Walgreens property. "A pharmacy open all hours of the night … is ready for pickings there in the middle of the night or early morning, when robbers want their drugs."

In the end, the convenience argument won.

"A drive-through is actually fairly important for the handicapped, the elderly, moms with kids, people with pets," Stewart said, citing his reasons for support. "We're going to get [the Walgreens] no matter what. The only question is whether we're going to have the drive-through."

The special use permit request for the drive-through also contained several sweeteners for the county. According to David McGettigan of the planning office, developers promised to make several landscaping and architectural design improvements to the property, as well as "contributions for Fire and Rescue," in exchange for the permit approval for the drive-through window. Permit package documents indicate that fire and rescue will receive "a monetary contribution of 61 cents per square foot based on building area."

McGettigan also said the building plan had already met all federal and state permitting standards.

The Planning Commission in May had recommended denial, 7-1. Planning staff, however, recommended supervisors approve the request. Tuesday night, vice chair Wally Covington, R-Brentsville, abstained from voting because he owns stock in Walgreens; Supervisor Maureen Caddigan, R-Dumfries, voted against the special use permit. The other six board members voted to approve.

Staff writer Cheryl Chumley can be reached at 703-670-1907.